Tag: UFC 271

Modafferi Admits Retirement Comes As “Young” Generation Takes Over

Retiring UFC women’s flyweight Roxanne Modafferi has admitted she’s felt “muscled” around by the rising crop of young fighters in her recent Octagon outings. This weekend, 44-fight MMA veteran Modafferi will close out her lengthy career in the sport. Having competed at the highest levels since her 2003 debut, including title challenges in the UFC,…

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Retiring UFC women’s flyweight Roxanne Modafferi has admitted she’s felt “muscled” around by the rising crop of young fighters in her recent Octagon outings.

This weekend, 44-fight MMA veteran Modafferi will close out her lengthy career in the sport. Having competed at the highest levels since her 2003 debut, including title challenges in the UFC, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC, “The Happy Warrior” will hang up her gloves on the pay-per-view main stage in Houston.

In her way of a happy entry to retirement at UFC 271 will be Casey O’Neill, an undefeated rising prospect who showed her punching mettle in finishes over Shana Dobson and Antonina Shevchenko, and her submission prowess by choking out Lara Procópio.

While “King Casey” will hope to continue her march up the 125-pound ladder and maintain her 100% finishing rate in the UFC, Modafferi will look to cause one last upset before exiting the crazy world of active competition for good.

Interestingly, Modafferi’s task this weekend represents one of the reasons behind her decision to call an end to her career.

While she got the better of 23-year-old Maycee Barber and 32-year-old Andrea Lee in 2020, the 39-year-old says she’s begun to feel “muscled” around by the younger generation in her recent appearances, something she’s seen as a sign her time is up.

“I feel like these young whippersnappers are coming up and like, I’m still working hard, I’m still trying to get stronger, but I feel like all these young guys are starting to kind of muscle me around a little bit,” Modafferi said in an interview with MMA Junkie. “I was not that happy with my performance in the last several fights.”

The rise of young and upcoming prospects marks just one of many reasons Modafferi has decided now is the right time to retire.

As well as previously admitting she’s been feeling the accumulation of damage from years of blows to the head, “The Happy Warrior” identified her relationship and newfound option to start a family as a key part of her decision.

“Now I have found the love of my life in (fellow fighter) Chris Roman. So maybe I can think about having a family now. Like, that was never an option before. I’ve been single for like decades, but you know, now I can actually think about that, so yeah.“

Modafferi Is Proud Of Her Accomplishments In MMA

Despite not having a major piece of gold wrapped around her waist and boasting a visibly mixed record, Modafferi is proud of what she’s accomplished over her 17 years in the sport of MMA.

For the Delaware native, the goal was always to make it to the big leagues and compete inside the UFC Octagon. Rather than a crucial part of her journey, becoming champion would simply have been an added bonus.

“My goal (was) basically get to the UFC, right?,” Modafferi said.  “So I basically achieved my life goal because my life goal was never to be champion because that was not an option. But then when the opportunity presented itself, I was like, ‘Cool, let’s try it.’

“But I really achieved my life goal – fighting in the UFC. I fought like 11 times in the UFC. Like, it’s awesome. I’m just so happy thinking about it. I didn’t win all of them, but I did my best,” Modafferi concluded.

This Saturday will see Modafferi walk to the Octagon for the final time. As one-half of the only women’s fight on the UFC 271 card, all eyes will be on “The Happy Warrior” in that regard.

Do you think Roxanne Modafferi can end her career on a high by defeating Casey O’Neill at UFC 271 this weekend?

Continue Reading Modafferi Admits Retirement Comes As “Young” Generation Takes Over at MMA News.

Whittaker Feels Sense Of Mutual Respect & Common Goal With Adesanya

Heading into their rematch at UFC 271, Robert Whittaker is in a different headspace than he was two years ago. “Bobby Knuckles” Whittaker has his chance at redemption this Saturday in a rematch against UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. When they last headlined at UFC 243, there was a lot of commotion going into the…

Continue Reading Whittaker Feels Sense Of Mutual Respect & Common Goal With Adesanya at MMA News.

Heading into their rematch at UFC 271, Robert Whittaker is in a different headspace than he was two years ago.

“Bobby Knuckles” Whittaker has his chance at redemption this Saturday in a rematch against UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. When they last headlined at UFC 243, there was a lot of commotion going into the fight.

The event took place in Australia, Whittaker’s native home, which fueled a rivalry with his New Zealander opponent. It’s a sigh of relief for Whittaker to not deal with the pressure of home court again, as this fight will take place in Houston, Texas.

Bad blood weighed heavy in their last battle. This time, it is strictly a moment to prove who is the better fighter. Whittaker claims to know Adesanya’s game and can prove “The Last Style Bender” is “beatable”.

Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya
Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya, Photo Credit: Michael Dodge/EPA

He will enter battle with the championship on his mind and his ego in check. Pre-fight tension carried a lot of weight in their first match, but Whittaker is not falling for any media traps this second go-around.

“This one is completely different. I feel there’s an underlying sense of mutual respect. We’re both the best in the game. He’s the champ and I’m #1, and we’ve ran through everybody else. I think there’s a certain level of mutual respect that comes from that.

“I think the fact that the New Zealand/Australia rivalry isn’t so much getting thrown at everybody’s faces here; understanding that this is Australia and New Zealand taking over the world sort of thing. In saying that, we’re not mates. Far from it. But I just don’t think because we’re in Houston and the media is not angling that rivalry, the fight isn’t personal,” Whittaker explained to Submission Radio.

Whittaker took home three impressive victories to get back to Adesanya after their 2019 bout. He learned from his “reckless” mistakes in the first encounter and plans to turn things around in the rematch.

In comparison, since UFC 243, Adesanya defended his belt three times and took home one lost to Jan Blachowicz in a bout for the light heavyweight title.

Both fighters simply want to win. They have devastated the competition as champion and #1 contender to make it back to this point. Of course, “Izzy” wants to keep his belt, and Whittaker never wanted it taken from him. And on February 12, Whittaker will look to seize his opportunity to even the score with Adesanya and reclaim the middleweight crown.

Do you think Robert Whittaker will once again become Middleweight Champion at UFC 271?

Continue Reading Whittaker Feels Sense Of Mutual Respect & Common Goal With Adesanya at MMA News.

Whittaker Feels Sense Of Mutual Respect & Common Goal With Adesanya

Heading into their rematch at UFC 271, Robert Whittaker is in a different headspace than he was two years ago. “Bobby Knuckles” Whittaker has his chance at redemption this Saturday in a rematch against UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. When they last headlined at UFC 243, there was a lot of commotion going into the…

Continue Reading Whittaker Feels Sense Of Mutual Respect & Common Goal With Adesanya at MMA News.

Heading into their rematch at UFC 271, Robert Whittaker is in a different headspace than he was two years ago.

“Bobby Knuckles” Whittaker has his chance at redemption this Saturday in a rematch against UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. When they last headlined at UFC 243, there was a lot of commotion going into the fight.

The event took place in Australia, Whittaker’s native home, which fueled a rivalry with his New Zealander opponent. It’s a sigh of relief for Whittaker to not deal with the pressure of home court again, as this fight will take place in Houston, Texas.

Bad blood weighed heavy in their last battle. This time, it is strictly a moment to prove who is the better fighter. Whittaker claims to know Adesanya’s game and can prove “The Last Style Bender” is “beatable”.

Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya
Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya, Photo Credit: Michael Dodge/EPA

He will enter battle with the championship on his mind and his ego in check. Pre-fight tension carried a lot of weight in their first match, but Whittaker is not falling for any media traps this second go-around.

“This one is completely different. I feel there’s an underlying sense of mutual respect. We’re both the best in the game. He’s the champ and I’m #1, and we’ve ran through everybody else. I think there’s a certain level of mutual respect that comes from that.

“I think the fact that the New Zealand/Australia rivalry isn’t so much getting thrown at everybody’s faces here; understanding that this is Australia and New Zealand taking over the world sort of thing. In saying that, we’re not mates. Far from it. But I just don’t think because we’re in Houston and the media is not angling that rivalry, the fight isn’t personal,” Whittaker explained to Submission Radio.

Whittaker took home three impressive victories to get back to Adesanya after their 2019 bout. He learned from his “reckless” mistakes in the first encounter and plans to turn things around in the rematch.

In comparison, since UFC 243, Adesanya defended his belt three times and took home one lost to Jan Blachowicz in a bout for the light heavyweight title.

Both fighters simply want to win. They have devastated the competition as champion and #1 contender to make it back to this point. Of course, “Izzy” wants to keep his belt, and Whittaker never wanted it taken from him. And on February 12, Whittaker will look to seize his opportunity to even the score with Adesanya and reclaim the middleweight crown.

Do you think Robert Whittaker will once again become Middleweight Champion at UFC 271?

Continue Reading Whittaker Feels Sense Of Mutual Respect & Common Goal With Adesanya at MMA News.

Derrick Lewis Open To ‘Cup Shoey’ At UFC 271 On One Condition

UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis has proposed an alternative celebration to the shoey if he emerges victorious over upcoming opponent Tai Tuivasa at UFC 271 this weekend In Saturday’s co-main event, we’ll see a collision of many things. As well as the incredible meeting of power that will take place when Tuivasa and Lewis share the…

Continue Reading Derrick Lewis Open To ‘Cup Shoey’ At UFC 271 On One Condition at MMA News.

UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis has proposed an alternative celebration to the shoey if he emerges victorious over upcoming opponent Tai Tuivasa at UFC 271 this weekend

In Saturday’s co-main event, we’ll see a collision of many things. As well as the incredible meeting of power that will take place when Tuivasa and Lewis share the Octagon inside Houston’s Toyota Center, we’ll also see two of the most entertaining and universally loved fighters on the roster compete.

“The Black Beast” will be looking to carry the momentum of his impressive main event rebound performance last time out. At UFC Vegas 45 in December, Lewis quickly moved past his disappointing interim title loss to Ciryl Gane by brutally knocking out rising contender Chris Daukaus.

“Bam Bam,” meanwhile, will be looking to extend his four-fight win streak and take a significant leap up the ladder. The #11-ranked heavyweight has knocked out Stefan Struve, Harry Hunsucker, Greg Hardy, and Augusto Sakai since falling to a three-fight skid in 2019.

Despite two vicious KOs in 2021, the main attraction of Tuivasa’s latest wins have been his infamous shoeys, performed both atop the cage wall and throughout the crowd on his way to the back.

Ahead of Tuivasa and Lewis’ clash, one thing has appeared certain: a knockout.

But while it seemed we’d only be getting treated to another entertaining display of post-fight beer-drinking if the Australian powerhouse gets the finish, the Houston native has proposed a unique celebration of his own.

While it involves a different utensil, it’s certainly just as, if not more, nasty.

Lewis Proposes A Shoey Alternative

During a recent interview with Morning Kombat‘s Brian Campbell, Lewis was asked if he’s planning his own special celebration if he manages to secure a win in front of his hometown crowd.

While he shut the door on the idea of a shoey, which he’s previously made his views on very clear, “The Black Beast” proposed a follow-up on his cup throw from UFC Vegas 45. But instead of throwing the cup to the crowd, how about a refreshing beverage from inside of it? Lewis said he’d be open to doing just that on the condition that he gets his arm raised Saturday.

“Nah, I can’t do nothing like that (a shoey), nah. I’d say I’ll take my cup off and drink beer out of that. That’s as far as I’ll go.”

While Lewis says that’s as far as he’d go, one has to wonder how much further than drinking a beer from a used cup he could go…

What have we learned from this? When it comes to beer and feet, Lewis says a big no; but with beer and balls, the answer is absolutely.

What would you rather see at UFC 271, a traditional Tai Tuivasa shoey or an unorthodox Derrick Lewis cup shoey?

Continue Reading Derrick Lewis Open To ‘Cup Shoey’ At UFC 271 On One Condition at MMA News.

Brunson Lays Out Retirement Plan: Beat Cannonier, Beat Izzy, Peace Out

UFC middleweight Derek Brunson has revealed he’s planning on retiring after two more appearances inside the Octagon. Brunson’s recent form has certainly been one of the more surprising stories of resurgence in recent memory. Entering 2019, the North Carolina native, who’s been a part of the UFC roster since 2012, was 2-4. A pair of…

Continue Reading Brunson Lays Out Retirement Plan: Beat Cannonier, Beat Izzy, Peace Out at MMA News.

UFC middleweight Derek Brunson has revealed he’s planning on retiring after two more appearances inside the Octagon.

Brunson’s recent form has certainly been one of the more surprising stories of resurgence in recent memory. Entering 2019, the North Carolina native, who’s been a part of the UFC roster since 2012, was 2-4.

A pair of two-fight skids, which featured defeats to reigning champion Israel Adesanya, former titleholder Robert Whittaker, GOAT contender Anderson Silva, and Brazilian grappling legend Ronaldo Souza, were separated by triumphs over Dan Kelly and Lyoto Machida.

But since being finished by “The Last Stylebender,” Brunson has built an impressive five-fight win streak that has seen him climb to within touching distance of a title shot.

After rebounding with wins against Elias Theodorou and Ian Heinisch, Brunson hit the form of his life following his transition to the now-infamous “Blonde Brunson.” Since making the hair alteration, the 38-year-old has finished Edmen Shahbazyan and Darren Till and outpointed Kevin Holland, all three of which came in main event contests.

Having firmly placed himself in the title picture, “Blonde Brunson” will hope to maintain his unbeaten run against Jared Cannonier at UFC 271 this weekend, and secure a second clash with Adesanya, this time with gold on the line.

Brunson Wants To Ride Out On Top

While he may be on the best run he’s had across his decade in the promotion, Brunson is still planning on hanging up his gloves soon.

During his appearance at UFC 271 media day, the #4-ranked middleweight was asked whether he’ll be content waiting for a title shot if Adesanya and Whittaker, who are set to headline this Saturday’s pay-per-view card, complete a trilogy later this year.

After confirming that a championship opportunity is the only fight he’ll accept if he’s victorious over Cannonier, Brunson laid out his retirement plan, and it’s one that is perhaps further along than most would have expected.

“I’m gonna sit and wait for a title fight after I win this fight. For sure. I’ve done everything I needed to do in this division,” said Brunson. “Honestly, I plan on fighting two more times. I feel like I’m lucky and blessed to like, fight in the UFC 20 times, and I’m super smart and got a good brain in my head, so I don’t wanna fight until I can’t fight no more. I’m in the best shape. I’m feeling good. So that’s all I’m thinking about right now; beat Cannonier, beat Izzy, and riding out. That’s it.”

Brunson went on to confirm that regardless of the situation, he’s limiting himself to two more Octagon outings. He cited his desire for more family time and his target of retiring without accumulating significant damage as the reasons behind his decision.

“Just two more times. You know, I spend a lot of time getting ready for these fights away from my family and stuff, and I’m 38,” Brunson continued. “I’m missing like, soccer games and stuff like that for my daughters. So, that’s more important to me than chasing money and stuff like that. I’ve been smart with my money, made enough money.

“I have no excuses. I’m in really good shape. I feel really good. I’m motivated. I don’t even plan on losing. But I just know that you can’t do combat sports forever, and end peacefully. I feel like I’ve got a super good brain, my head is good, no injuries, nothing. I think finish my goal, finish my task, complete the mission, get the title, and be like, ‘Peace, I’m out,’” Brunson concluded.

With toes dipping in the realms of real estate, gym ownership, fight promotion, and management, Brunson certainly won’t be short of new ventures and exciting possibilities moving forward when he does call an end to his fighting career.

Do you think Derek Brunson has what it takes to beat Jared Cannonier and dethrone Israel Adesanya?

Continue Reading Brunson Lays Out Retirement Plan: Beat Cannonier, Beat Izzy, Peace Out at MMA News.

Conor McGregor Picks ‘High-Level Performer’ Israel Adesanya To Beat Robert Whittaker At UFC 271

Conor McGregorFormer two-division UFC champion, Conor McGregor has picked his management stablemate, Israel Adesanya to successfully defend his middleweight title this weekend at UFC 271 against Robert Whittaker, labelling the striking ace as one of the only “true high-level performers” currently on the promotion’s books. McGregor, who has been out of action since July of last […]

Conor McGregor

Former two-division UFC champion, Conor McGregor has picked his management stablemate, Israel Adesanya to successfully defend his middleweight title this weekend at UFC 271 against Robert Whittaker, labelling the striking ace as one of the only “true high-level performers” currently on the promotion’s books.

McGregor, who has been out of action since July of last year where he suffered a fractured tibia in the opening round of his UFC 264 trilogy rubber match with Dustin Poirier, is currently targeting a return to active competition and the Octagon by this summer.

The Dubliner, who finds himself in the midst of a two-fight losing streak for the first time in his professional career, suffered a first round TKO doctor’s stoppage loss to former interim lightweight champion, Poirier, having dropped a knockout defeat to the Louisianan last January.

Conor McGregor last scored a UFC win back in January 2020 with an early high kick knockout over Donald Cerrone

In his time away from the Octagon, McGregor has been linked with numerous opponents for his expected summer comeback, however, an official bout for the 33-year-old has so far yet to materialize at the time of publication. 

The former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion did, however, offer support to his Paradigm Sports Management stablemate Adesanya ahead of UFC 271, picking the Nigerian-Kiwi to emerge with his title – off the back of the latter penning a new multi-fight deal with the organization.

“Can’t wait to see Izzy Style (Israel Adesanya) back in the Octagon this weekend,” Conor McGregor tweeted. “One of the true remaining high level fighter/performer athletes we have on the roster. Don’t just fight. Perform! @stylebender (Israel Adesanya) back in the Octagon this week! Only on PPV! @ufc @espn #AndStill.”

Attempting to secure the fourth successful defense of his middleweight crown, Adesanya successfully unified the division titles back in October 2019 against Whittaker – stopping the former undisputed champion with a second round knockout in Melbourne, Australia.

In the time since, Adesanya has lodged title knockback wins over the trio of Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, and Marvin Vettori – the most recent of which in June last year in the main event of UFC 263.